Extensions and Special Circumstances

You should submit your application as soon as you become aware of circumstances affecting your studies.

You will be able to submit an extension request up to 2 weeks before your assignment deadline. Students must submit their request for an extension as early as possible and this must be submitted before the coursework deadline. Applications submitted after your assignment deadlines will not be considered.

The ESC team will consider an extension for coursework submission for up to a maximum of seven calendar days. It is important to note that the number of days allowed for an assessment extension is at the discretion of the Course Organiser. Please check the assessment information in Learn for details.

The ESC team aim to respond to your application within 2 working days.

IMPORTANT: Please note that Learning Adjustments are currently not a part of the new system. You should instead:

• In the circumstances section (first section) of the online Extensions and Special Circumstances form, please state that you are applying for an extension in conjunction with a Learning Adjustment. 
• Complete the form to apply for your extension.
• If you wish to access your learning adjustment and apply for an extension, please apply for an extension first via the online system (not the previously used form). We strongly recommend that you request both before your original assessment deadline.

Further information on Extensions and Learning Adjustments can be found here:

• Extensions explained
• Learning Adjustments explained 

Before you consider applying for Special Circumstances, we strongly advise that you contact the Mathematics Student Support Team at studentsupport@maths.ed.ac.uk. We will be able to support you through the process and answer any questions you have.

The new online system allows you to select a single assignment, or to select several assignments across different courses, all in one application.

The ESC team aim to respond to your completed application within 5 working days (this includes selecting affected assignments, providing evidence, etc.) to let you know if your application has been accepted.

If your application is accepted, the decision will be passed onto the school Special Circumstances Committee for recommendations, and will be considered at the relevant Board of Examiners meeting. You will be notified of the outcome afterwards via MyEd at the same time as the release of your course marks.   

Further information on Special Circumstances can be found here:

• Special Circumstances Explained
• Special Circumstances Policy
• Taught Assessment Regulations

  Where the ESC service has accepted an application from a student requesting: 

• An extension to a coursework deadline of more than seven days (where this will not lead to a deadline beyond the end of the next examination diet) in advance of the final exam boards. 

• Disregarding of late penalties 

School Special Circumstances Committees are able to make expedited decisions (i.e., in advance of the next scheduled meeting of the Special Circumstances Committee). 

We strongly advise you to contact the Student Support Team before applying via the ESC online service.  The Student Support Team will advise you on whether your request is eligible for an expedited decision and will guide you through how to make an application.   

An example of when an expedited decision for a coursework extension of more than 7 days might be eligible:  

• To complete a Mathematics dissertation or project.   

An example of when an expedited decision for a coursework extension of more than 7 days might not be:  

• For weekly assignments e.g., a quiz.  

The ESC team do not inform Schools when applications for expedited Special circumstances decisions are made/accepted on their system. Therefore, if you do not discuss this in advance with the Student Support Team, we will not be aware of your application and therefore cannot consider it for an expedited decision, if it is accepted. Accepted applications in will then be considered at the next scheduled Special Circumstances Committee and Board of Examiner meeting.